Asda staff to protest over ‘punitive’ contracts

Workers at Asda are set to protest over new contracts which have been deemed as “punitive” by trade union GMB Union.

The Union, who represent the supermarket employees, has arranged a protest which will take place in Leeds on 14 August against the contract six proposals.

The contract will see staff pay increased to £9 per hour, which Asda claims will give a “real terms” pay increase to 95% of workers. The union claims that the new contract, will see workers no longer paid for any breaks and forced to work bank holidays in return for the pay increase.

Gary Carter, national officer, GMB, said: “The new contract cuts holiday entitlement, slashes bank holiday and night shift pay, and introduces an any time, any place, anywhere culture which risks a hugely damaging impact on the predominantly part time, low paid, female workforce, who need flexibility that works for them.

“We’re calling on Asda to come back to the negotiating table and give this dedicated workforce a fair deal.”

A spokesperson for Asda added: “This new contract will see Asda invest in a pay increase for over 100,000 retail colleagues, as well as enabling us to deliver better service to our customers in an intensely competitive marketplace. We are continuing to talk to our colleagues about this change and to understand what it might mean for their individual circumstances.”

The supermarket currently employs around 50,000 people with the proposal said to represent an investment over £80m.